Former prime minister Tony Abbott has taken credit for much of the Turnbull Government's approach, arguing the looming election will be fought on his government's record.

Key points:

Turnbull says there is both continuity and change under his leadership compared to Tony Abbott's

Abbott says Safe Schools program is "social engineering"

Jacqui Lambie says she will not back the ABCC bill

Mr Abbott told Sky News the Turnbull Government was seeking election on the record of the Abbott government including "stopping the boats, finalising the free trade agreements, our strong national security policy and now, of course, our workplace relations policy".

"It's very easy for me to campaign for the election of the Turnbull Government because the Turnbull Government is running on the Abbott government's record, because it's a very strong record," he said.

"Firstly, we dealt with Senate voting reform — that was not on the agenda and it's done," he said.

"Secondly, we have a cities policy. We are not limiting our support in cities and generally to roads, we are supporting mass transit and public transport," Mr Turnbull said.

He also cited media ownership and innovation.

"Right across the board — between Tony and myself, Tony Abbott and myself — there is continuity. Of course, I was part of his government, part of his cabinet but there is also a great deal of change. So, as you go from one Liberal prime minister to another, you have continuity and you have change and there has been a lot of change," Mr Turnbull said.

Safe School program is 'social engineering': Abbott

However, Mr Abbott challenged the Government to abandon one of its programs - the Safe Schools anti-bullying campaign.

Education Minister Simon Birmingham recently announced changes to the scheme, but is keeping it.

Mr Abbott called on the Government to go further.

"It is not about anti-bullying, it is about social engineering, now that we know exactly what this program is all about I think we should save ourselves the money and scrap the program," he said.

Mr Abbott's legacy is set to be an ongoing issue for Mr Turnbull as he embarks on a lengthy pseudo-election campaign.

Labor frontbencher Kim Carr called it "the longest snap election in Australian history".

"The public will take a very dim view of these manoeuvrings," Senator Carr said.

And he argued calling back the Senate to debate the building and construction commission bill could be problematic.

"Many a prime minister has found to their chagrin that you can call a senate together but you can't necessarily predict the outcome," Senator Carr told AM.

The bill is set to become a double dissolution trigger because it does not appear to have the necessary support in the Upper House and Attorney General George Brandis indicated the Government does not favour amendments.

"The reason we are recalling parliament is because we want to see the ABCC bill passed in its current form," he told Lateline.

'I will not be blackmailed': Lambie

Senators for and against the IR bills

FOR

Family First's Bob Day

AGAINST

Independent John Madigan

Independent Jacqui Lambie

Independent Glenn Lazarus

MAYBE

Independent Nick Xenophon (has been broadly supportive in the past)

Palmer United Party's Dio Wang

Motoring Enthusiast Party's Ricky Muir

Liberal Democrat's David Leyonjhelm

Tasmanian independent Jacqui Lambie told Q&A she will not back its coercive powers.

"I have spent a lot of time on the ABCC. I have also spoken to the Law Council of Australia on numerous occasions. They have problems with this, as a matter of fact, pretty much what they are saying is it has more holes in it than the target at the shooting range, so I have a problem with that.

"It is taking away your civil basic rights," she said

"I will be voting no to the ABCC. I will not be blackmailed. I will not have a gun held to my head that is not the way to play politics and as for my seat that is up to the people of Tasmania.

"If they don't want me up here keeping the bastards honest then they will get rid of me. If that's what they want from me then I will be safe," Senator Lambie said.